Contributed By: Cliff Hobbs [MVP ConfigMgr]
Originally Microsoft stated that full ConfigMgr support for machines running Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2 would come with the release of ConfigMgr SP2 and this is still the case - if you need full support (i.e. to be able to manage Clients on these OSs using all ConfigMgr features) you still need to wait for SP2.

However, on the 11th September Microsoft released KB Article 974236 "Update rollup for System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 to add support for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 clients" which seems to have caused some confusion so let's clarify.

Applying this hotfix to a ConfigMgr SP1 Site gives you the following NOW:

• The ability to install the ConfigMgr Client on Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 machines BUT with the following exceptions until SP2 is released:

  • No OSD Support for either OS.

  • The ConfigMgr Console cannot be installed on either of these two OSs.

  • No support for hosting Site Systems roles on Windows 2008 R2.

  • No support for Windows 7 features such as Direct Access and Branch Cache.

  • No support for App-V 4.6 (x64) support.

  • No upgrade path to R3 (you'll need to be running SP2 in order to add R3).

• The ability to target Packages to Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2 machines (with the addition of the options in the Program Properties screen).

The hotfix also resolves the following two issues (see the KB article for full details):

• Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 Clients cannot register themselves to ConfigMgr SP1 Site Servers who have their MP running in Native mode.

• The SMS Agent Host service (CcmExec.exe) crashes when it handles the pending Statement of Health (SoH) updates on Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7 Clients.